See Avelo Airlines' 7 new destinations from Lakeland coming this fall

Clear your fall schedule, because Avelo Airlines and Lakeland International Airport announced seven — yep, seven — new destinations in a press conference on Wednesday, July 24. It’s part of the airline’s largest ever expansion in its history.

Passengers can already book tickets starting at $52 for biweekly flights to these cities:

• Charlotte, NC/Concord, NC | Beginning Oct. 24 | Flying on Thursday + Sunday
• Manchester, NH/Boston, MA | Beginning Oct. 25 | Flying on Monday + Friday
• Rochester, NY | Beginning Oct. 25 | Flying on Monday + Friday
• San Juan, PR | Beginning Oct. 26 | Flying on Wednesday + Saturday
• Atlanta, GA | Beginning Nov. 7 | Flying on Thursday + Sunday
• Wilmington, DE/Philadelphia, PA | Beginning Nov. 7 | Flying on Thursday + Sunday
• Hartford, CT | Beginning Nov. 8 | Flying on Monday + Friday

Photo by LALtoday

“Since taking flight a little over a month ago, the customer response from Lakeland to New Haven has been tremendous,” Avelo’s Head of Commercial Trevor Yealy said in the press conference. “We’ve carried over 3,300 customers on the 24 flights we’ve accomplished so far.”

Avelo is also making a major investment in Lakeland by establishing LAL as part of its Central Florida base in October. A dedicated Boeing Next-Generation 737 will be positioned there, meaning more local jobs for Lakelanders.

Airport Director Kris Hallstrand commented on customer satisfaction as travelers fly in and out of LAL with ease. “The community is the shout out I want to give the loudest. Without you, we can’t do what we do here at the airport.”

Ready to jet set? Prepare for takeoff with our guide to flying out of Lakeland , and let us know your pro tips for visiting these new destinations. We’ll see you on the tarmac.

Photo by CLTtoday

Readers’ travel pro tips

If you’ve never visited these cities, our readers have you covered with some of their tips and must dos.

Reader Jo L. has ideas for racing fans heading to Charlotte + Concord, NC. “Visit the NASCAR Race shops, NHRA Dragstrip, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

Reader DB says the Manchester, NH airport is easy to navigate. “Very little traffic and easy to get through TSA due to reduced number of travelers compared to Boston’s hub.”

If you’re flying into Rochester, NY, Reader Myron C. says to visit Niagara Falls, and Reader Robbie D. recommends the nearby Finger Lakes region.

Don’t forget this simple advice from Reader Deborah R. when traveling to San Juan, PR: “Pack lightly. It is HOT.”

Atlanta, GA could be the gateway to even more travel fun. “Because it’s a hub,” says one anonymous reader, it “allows for travel to many other destinations.”

Wilmington, DE is only a short drive from Philadelphia, PA. Reader Bill M. says you have to order a cheesesteak, of course, “and don’t forget to go Rocky and run up the steps.”

Convenience is the name of the game in Hartford, CT. Reader Sylvia A. told us it’s “very easy to get around this airport and area,“ and another reader said, “Car rentals much more affordable than New Haven.”